Form for casting concrete block column

Abstract

A form for casting concrete columns which simulate a stack of stone blocks. The form includes first and second side sections, each including two side panels. The side sections are releasably connected together to form a rectangular frame which has closed and open positions. The frame and a base on which the frame rests supports a column side insert. The column side insert has a central opening in which a column is cast. The column side insert imparts a desired appearance to the exterior sides of the cast column. After a column is cast, the side sections are moved to an open position and the column side insert is separated from the column. The form may include inserts for forming passages in the column and for forming one or more notches in the column for receiving fence rails

1. A form for casting a concrete column having sides, a top and a bottom comprising first and second side sections each having a first end and a second end, means connecting together said first ends of said first and second side sections while permitting said side sections to be moved between open and closed positions, a releasable lock for locking together said second ends of said first and second side sections when said form is in said closed position and for permitting said form to be moved to an open position when said lock is released, a resilient one piece column side insert positioned between said first and second side sections, said column side insert having integral sides which are supported by said side sections when said side sections are in said closed position, an open top, an open bottom and an interior surface shaped to provide a desired shape and surface texture to the sides of a concrete column cast in said form, and a base for supporting said side sections and said column side insert while casting a concrete column. 
   
   
     2. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein said means connecting together said first ends of said first and second side sections comprises a releasable lock. 
   
   
     3. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein said means connecting together said first ends of said first and second side sections comprises a hinge. 
   
   
     4. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein said column side insert has two edges which may be separated by bending said insert when said side sections are in said open position. 
   
   
     5. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 4 , and wherein said column side insert includes a handle adjacent each of said two edges to facilitate manual separation of said edges. 
   
   
     6. A form for casting a concrete column having sides, a top and a bottom comprising first and second side sections each having a first end and a second end, means connecting together said first ends of said first and second side sections while permitting said side sections to be moved between open and closed positions, a releasable lock for locking together said second ends of said first and second side sections when said form is in said closed position and for permitting said form to be moved to an open position when said lock is released, a column side insert positioned between said first and second side sections, said column side insert having sides which abut and are supported by said side sections when said side sections are in said closed position, an open top, an open bottom and an interior surface shaped to provide a desired shape and surface texture to the sides of a concrete column cast in said form, and a base for supporting said side sections and said column side insert while casting a concrete column, and wherein said handles include rods embedded in said column side insert to extend above said column side insert adjacent each of said edges when said insert and said side sections are supported on said base. 
   
   
     7. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 6 , and further including a handle on said column side insert at a corner opposite said rods to facilitate lifting and moving said column side insert. 
   
   
     8. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 4 , and wherein said column side insert edges which may be separated include at least one tongue on one of said edges and at least one groove on a second of said edges which are configured to align said edges with each other when said side sections are in said closed position. 
   
   
     9. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 4 , and wherein said column side insert edges are adjacent said second ends of said side sections when said side sections are in said closed position. 
   
   
     10. A form for casting a concrete column having sides, a top and a bottom comprising first and second side sections each having a first end and a second end, means connecting together said first ends of said first and second side sections while permitting said side sections to be moved between open and closed positions, a releasable lock for locking together said second ends of said first and second side sections when said form is in said closed position and for permitting said form to be moved to an open position when said lock is released, a column side insert positioned between said first and second side sections, said column side insert having sides which abut and are supported by said side sections when said side sections are in said closed position, an open top, an open bottom and an interior surface shaped to provide a desired shape and surface texture to the sides of a concrete column cast in said form, a base for supporting said side sections and said column side insert while casting a concrete column, and wherein said side sections each include two side panels connected together to form substantially a right angle. 
   
   
     11. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 10 , and wherein each side section further includes a pin attached to the connection between the section side panels to extend away from said column side insert, and wherein said pins are located at or below a center of the connection between said side panels, whereby said pins facilitate lifting said side sections, said column side insert and a concrete column cast in said column side insert for inverting the cast concrete column. 
   
   
     12. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 1 , and further including a column lifting insert secured to said base at substantially the center of said open bottom of said column side insert when said column side insert is supported on said base, said lifting insert being adapted to releasably hold a rod which is embedded in and extends across a recess formed by said lifting insert in the top of a column which is cast upside down in said form. 
   
   
     13. A form for casting a concrete column having sides, a top and a bottom comprising first and second side sections each having a first end and a second end, means connecting together said first ends of said first and second side sections while permitting said side sections to be moved between open and closed positions, a releasable lock for locking together said second ends of said first and second side sections when said form is in said closed position and for permitting said form to be moved to an open position when said lock is released, a column side insert positioned between said first and second side sections, said column side insert having sides which abut and are supported by said side sections when said side sections are in said closed position, an open top, an open bottom and an interior surface shaped to provide a desired shape and surface texture to the sides of a concrete column cast in said form, and a base for supporting said side sections and said column side insert while casting a concrete column, a column lifting insert secured to said base at substantially the center of said open bottom of said column side insert when said column side insert is supported on said base, said lifting insert being adapted to releasably hold a rod which is embedded in and extends across a recess formed by said lifting insert in the top of a column which is cast upside down in said form, and at least one notch forming insert positioned on said base adjacent said column side insert, each said notch forming insert forming a notch in a side adjacent the top of a column cast upside down in said form, and wherein each notch is sized to receive an end of a fence rail. 
   
   
     14. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 13 , and wherein each notch forming insert includes at least one opening adapted to engage a pin on said base for positioning said notch forming insert on said base, and wherein each notch forming insert includes an edge shaped to abut and to conform to an adjacent portion of said interior surface of said column side insert when positioned on a pin. 
   
   
     15. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 14 , and wherein said interior surface of said column side insert is configured to shape a concrete column cast in said form to simulate a stack of stone blocks at least two blocks high, and wherein recessed seams are formed between adjacent blocks. 
   
   
     16. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 15 , and wherein said interior surface of said column side insert includes ridges which form the seams between the simulated blocks forming said column, and wherein said shaped edge of said notch forming insert is shaped to engage at least one of said ridges on said column side insert. 
   
   
     17. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 1 , and wherein said interior surface of said column side insert is configured to shape a concrete column cast in said form to simulate a stack of stone blocks at least two blocks high, and wherein recessed seams are formed between adjacent blocks. 
   
   
     18. A form for casting a concrete column, as set forth in  claim 10 , and wherein said interior surface of said column side insert is configured to shape a concrete column cast in said form to simulate a stack of stone blocks at least two blocks high, and wherein recessed seams are formed between adjacent blocks.